Technical Advice
Custom Colors
Airbrushes
Retarder Thinner
Drying Time
Safety Precautions
Shelf Life
Paint Types
Painting Procedure
Paint Applications
Custom Colors
Most colors can be mixed to obtain custom colors. However, metallic Lure-Lac paints cannot be mixed with opaque or fluorescent colors.
Airbrushes
Spray patterns can range from a very thin line (for gaining line size and painting letters and numbers) to a half-inch band. For patterns, such as scales, the pressure should be kept as low as possible, while adjusting the nozzle as needed for band width.
A double-action control airbrush with separate airflow control and fluid control is the best type of airbrush to use. The benefits of a double-action airbrush over a single-action airbrush is the range of shading available (light to dark), in addition to the standard color control that can be obtained with a single-action airbrush. Professional artists and hobbyists mainly use double-action airbrushes.
A Binks Wren Airbrush has a single control, making it difficult to use because the airflow and fluid control are together. However, this airbrush is good for the types of basic work that beginning artists and hobbyists would need to do.
Retarder Thinner
When conditions dictate the use of a retarder, Bohning recommends using it only as an additive to lacquer, rather than as a reducer. Excessive amounts of retarder thinner can cause paint to run and sag upon application. Retarder thinner does not have the ability to reduce material viscosity as effectively as Lure-Lac standard thinner.
In high-humidity conditions, retarder thinner can be added to lacquer to help eliminate spider-webbing. Start with a small amount of retarder-to-thinner, such as 10% retarder thinner to 90% standard thinner. Caution is advised when using a retarder, as too much can enhance the spiderwebbing effect and also cause paint to run and sag upon application.
Drying Time
Bohning Lure-Lac paint will dry to the touch in about 10 minutes. When several coats are applied in a short amount of time, care must be taken to insure that solvents are not trapped in the drying paint. Bohning recommends allowing two hours of drying time between application of coats. An increase in temperature will speed up the drying time. Temperatures of 130°F to 140°F will help solvents flash off and will decrease the drying time of lures. Allow 24 to 48 hours of drying time after applying the final coat before packaging.
Safety Precautions
Bohning Lure-Lac is a solvent-based lacquer and is therefore extremely flammable. Never paint in an area with open flame present, including any type of pilot lights, such as a furnace or gas hot water heater. Always work in a well-ventilated area and use a NIOSH/MSHA-approved respirator for use with paints and organic vapors. Exhaust ventilation must be used, with a fan certified for these conditions. Do not use in a closed room. Lure-Lac vapors are heavier than air and have a tendency to settle at ground level.
Shelf Life
All paints have a shelf life. Bohning Lure-Lac paints have a one-year shelf life. Use opened paint as soon as possible.
Paint Types
Primer Coat
Base White Lure-Lac
Clear Fletch-Lac
Color Coat
| Gloss | Fluorescent | Metallic | Dye Coat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | Aurora Pink | Gold | Blue |
| Orange | Blaze Orange | Silver | |
| Green | Rocket Red | ||
| White | Signal Green | ||
| Blue | Saturn Yellow | ||
| Black |
Top Coat
Super Coat
Painting Procedure
Application of Bohning Lure-Lac paint is a three-part process, which includes the following:
- Application of a primer coat of either Base White Lure-Lac or Clear Fletch-Lac, depending on the substrate (either lure bodies or jig heads substrate)
- Application of color coat
- Application of top coat, using Lure-Lac Super Coat
Substrate: Lure Bodies
- Clean lure with Lure-Lac Thinner or acetone.
- Seal with Clear Fletch-Lac.
- Spray or dip.
- Allow two to three hours between coats.
- Apply color coat.
- Spray or dip.
- Allow two to three hours between coats.
- Apply consecutive color coats if necessary.
- Apply Super Coat.
- Spray or dip.
- Allow two to three hours between coats.
- Apply consecutive coats of Super Coat if necessary.
- Allow lure to dry 24 hours before packaging.
Substrate: Jig Head
- Clean jig with Lure-Lac Thinner or acetone.
- Prime lead with Base White Lure-Lac.
- Spray or dip.
- Allow two to three hours between coats.
- Apply color coat.
- Spray or dip.
- Allow two to three hours between coats.
- Apply consecutive color coats if necessary.
- Apply Super Coat.
- Spray or dip.
- Allow two to three hours between coats.
- Apply consecutive coats of Super Coat if necessary.
- Allow lure to dry 24 hours before packaging.
Paint Amount for Dipping
The following table shows the approximate number of 1/8-ounce size jigs that can be dipped using Base White Lure-Lac. The amount of paint used will vary with the jig size, paint coat thickness, and paint type.
Note: Base White Lure-Lac is the heaviest of all Bohning paints.
| Amount of Paint | Number of Jigs |
|---|---|
| 1 ounce | 150 |
| 1/2 pint | 600 |
| 1 pint | 1,200 |
| 1 quart | 2,400 |
| 1 gallon | 9,600 |
Wooden Lure Bodies
First, spray with Bohning Super Coat to seal the wood. Then spray colors to obtain the desired effect.
Plastic Lure Bodies
Bohning Lure-Lac bonds extremely well to most plastic surfaces. A white primer coat may not be necessary on plastic substrates, unless the surface is a dark color.
Spinner Blades & Spoons
Plated or unplated spinner blades and spoons should receive an application of Bohning Clear Fletch-Lac primer prior to painting.
We recommend applying the clear primer with an airbrush rather than by dipping. Bohning Fletch-Lac Clear primer is best applied with a Binks Wren airbrush at approximately 30 PSI. If multiple coats are used, allow two to three hours of drying time between coats.
The spray application of Fletch-Lac Clear primer usually requires no reducing. Fletch-Lac Clear primer provides a superior bonding surface for Bohning lacquer and top coats.
Paint Applications
Important! Always make sure the substrate to be painted is free of any contaminants, such as oil, wax, dirt, or water. Use Lure-Lac Thinner or acetone to clean the substrate.
Base Coat Application
Lure-Lac Base White is designed to cover in one coat and functions as a primer coat. A base coat of Base White is recommended in all cases, but it is very important when using fluorescent colors, due to the translucent nature of those paints.
Top-Coat Application
Lure-Lac Super Coat is a high-solids clear coat that cures to a chip-proof surface and is used as a final coat over any Lure-Lac paint, to enhance both quality and durability.
Super coat is also an excellent clear coat in which to suspend all types of glitter. We recommend using hexagonal-shaped glitter instead of square glitter, to allow the glitter to lie down on the substrate surface. A solution of glitter and Super Coat can be used for dipping or spraying. When spraying, remember to thin the solution so it is spray-ready.
Dipping Information
Bohning Lure-Lac is an excellent paint for dipping jigs and lures. Our paint is shipped ready for dipping; however, viscosity can vary greatly with temperature and the length of time the paint is stored. If paint is too thick, thin in small increments until the desired viscosity had been reached. The paint will perform best when it is maintained at a temperature of 65°F to 75°F.
Always stir paint well before dipping. Do not shake paint, as this will create excessive air bubbles. Be sure to allow sufficient time (10 to 15 minutes) for any air bubbles to dissipate after stirring. When stirring lacquer paints, take special care not to scratch the protective lining off the interior of the can.
To keep the paint even around the jig head, allow the excess paint to run off and then rotate the jig 180 degrees, letting the jig dry in an upright position.
In high-humidity conditions, a retarder may be required to slow down the drying process and help prevent blushing on the lure body surface. Be sure to read the retarder thinner information before using.
Airbrush Spraying Information
Excellent results can be achieved when spraying Lure-Lac paints; however, one must find the correct combination of thinning levels, line pressure, and environmental conditions. The following tips are provided to help you to find the correct combination.
- Lure-Lac White Base Coat — Thin at a 1:1 ratio to start, with a line pressure of 40 to 60 pounds. A ratio of 1 part base to 1-1/2 part thinner may be used if it provides enough coverage.
- Metallics — Thin at a 1:1 ratio with a line pressure of 20 pounds. Some line pressure variations may be required for desired results.
- Glosses & Fluorescents — Thin at a ratio of 1 part base to 1-1/2 parts thinner, with a line pressure of 20 to 30 pounds. Use less pressure when fine-line detailing.
- Super Coat — Thin at a 1:1 ratio, with a line pressure of 20 to 30 pounds.
- Dye Coats — Thin at a 1:1 ratio, with a line pressure of 20 to 30 pounds.
- When spraying Lure-Lac paint, use a lacquer tip as recommended by your spray gun manufacturer. Our best results have been with a Binks Wren airbrush.
- Line pressure and/or variations in thinning rate may cause spiderwebbing. Best results can be obtained by experimenting with small amounts of paint until you achieve the desired results. Working with the lowest line pressure possible will provide the best results.
- Paint that has been thinned to spray viscosity should be used as soon as possible, or settling of pigment may occur, especially with fluorescents.
- All paints should be stirred well prior to use. When stirring lacquer paints, take special care not to scratch the protective lining off the interior of the can.
- Room temperature when spraying affects the performance of paints. A temperature range of 65°F to 75°F is recommended as optimal.
- High humidity can adversely affect the application of paint materials. Adding a retarder thinner will slow the evaporation rate and improve spraying and dipping results.
- Always use Bohning Lure-Lac Thinner with Lure-Lac paint. Incompatibilities may occur when using thinner not suited for Lure-Lac paints.
- Always clean spray equipment with Bohning thinner between colors.
